Hawthorn's Across the Aisle Podcast

Small Margins, Big Consequences w/Charlie Cook

Charlie Cook returns to Across the Aisle to cut through the daily headlines and focus on the political fundamentals shaping the road to 2026. One of the nation’s most respected nonpartisan election analysts and founder of the Cook Political Report, Charlie joins John Ashford for a wide-ranging conversation on today’s closely divided electorate, the growing role of turnout over persuasion, and why many of the stories dominating the news cycle may matter less than they appear. The discussion explores the structural realities facing both parties in the House and Senate, how changes in media consumption are influencing public opinion, and why small shifts among a narrow band of voters can have outsized consequences in modern elections. Grounded in data, history, and decades of experience, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at where American politics stands—and where it may be headed next.

The Big D: Data Centers and America’s Power Challenge w/Jimmy Glotfelty

Data center demand is no longer theoretical. It is reshaping grid planning, infrastructure investment, and energy policy across the country. In this episode of Across the Aisle, John Ashford speaks with former Texas Public Utility Commissioner Jimmy Glotfelty — founder of the Office of Electricity at the U.S. Department of Energy and a leader in transmission expansion and grid reliability. They discuss: • The difference between cloud data centers and AI training loads • Why ERCOT could see tens of gigawatts of new demand by 2030 • How battery storage is changing reliability dynamics • Whether nuclear can meet near-term demand • The reality of supply chain constraints in gas and nuclear technologies • Affordability pressures and what consumers should expect • Why Texas remains committed to grid independence As AI-driven load growth accelerates and markets debate reliability, transmission, and permitting reform, this conversation offers a grounded look at what is realistic — and what is not — for the next phase of American energy development.

Polling 2.0 - The Evolution of Political Intelligence w/Christopher S. Wilson

The podcast episode features a conversation between John Ashford and Chris Wilson, CEO of Eyes Over, discussing social media monitoring, artificial intelligence, and its impact on politics and corporate decision-making. Takeaways * Social media monitoring provides real-time opinion-based analysis, capturing dynamics and momentum rather than just attitudes. * AI-driven conversational persuasion outperforms traditional political advertising, focusing on relatability and emotional mirroring. Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to Across the Isle Podcast * 06:07 Advantages of Social Monitoring * 12:21 Process of Social Media Monitoring * 18:50 Impact of AI on Politics * 24:35 Recent Findings and Surprises

Geopolitical Risk, Rivalry, and Restraint w/Graham Allison, Ph.D.

Looking more internationally than our usual domestic political junkies’ views, this episode wraps up 2025 and looks – however dimly – into 2026 with one of the genuine experts on international relations, China and Russia. Graham Allison, Ph.D [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Allison]., is the Douglas Dillon Professor of Government at Harvard University where for years he was Dean of the Kennedy School of Government, with time off to serve as Assistant Secretary of State. Author of the seminal work on presidential decision making, Essence of a Decision, he has more recently authored – and briefed the Premier of China and the President of the United States – Destined for War, analyzing the threat of an emerging power to an established and dominant power. In this episode, we talk about China and Russia, as well as everything from the prospects of war in Venezuela to the prospects of peace in Gaza. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context of Political Uncertainty 03:08 International Developments and Their Impact 05:54 The Situation in Venezuela and Potential Conflict 09:02 The Role of Congress in Foreign Policy 12:10 Reassessing U.S.-China Relations 14:51 Trump's Approach to China and Global Dynamics 18:05 The Complexity of U.S.-China Rivalry 20:59 The Ukraine Conflict and Diplomatic Challenges 24:00 Final Thoughts on Global Security and Future Prospects

How Did We Get Here and Where Do We Go Next w/Charlie Cook

In this conversation, John sits down with Charlie Cook to discuss the current political landscape following the recent elections, focusing on the implications of redistricting, the challenges faced by political leaders like Chuck Schumer, and the importance of candidate quality in swing states. They explore the identity crisis within the Democratic Party and the role of independents in shaping election outcomes, while also looking ahead to the upcoming 2026 and 2028 elections.